September - Lynches River Electric Cooperative
Transcription
September - Lynches River Electric Cooperative
Co-opConnection Is America ready for the electric car? surrounded the 2011 release of electric vehicles by two prominent automakers. The Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf were hailed as “the future is now” cars that would usher in a new era of energy independence and technological innovation for the United States. One question asked a lot about electric cars is their effect on the environment. Because you plug them in just like any other appliance—creating more work for power plants—will we really prevent carbon emissions? According to the Electric Power Research Institute, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based consortium, the short answer is yes. Despite the extra load, various airborne emissions will decline with the onset of electric cars. Each region of the country will see reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over several decades, thanks in part to technologies that decrease carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. In addition, electric cars could actually help electric cooperatives if consumers plug them in at night. That helps the system run more efficiently because power costs and demand are at their lowest. However, the costs may still be prohibitive for most Americans. The Cooperative Research Network estimates that payback in terms of MUCH BUZZ gasoline savings would take about a decade (depending on your driving habits). And if you want the car to charge up quickly (instead of the usual four to eight hours or so with a regular 110-V outlet), you’ll have to install a higher-voltage outlet at your home. Besides the cost of having the 220-V outlet installed—which one cooperative wholesale power provider estimates to be about $2,000—your home’s wiring may need to be updated to accommodate it. The costs add up. Whether an electric car suits you also depends on your lifestyle, how much you drive, and whether you want your vehicle to have fancy amenities that use more electricity. Cities across the country are attempting to do their part—electric vehicle charging stations are springing up at various locations here and there. We have one at our office in Pageland. But barriers, including cost, limited driving range on a charge, and easy access to chargers, still inhibit widespread use. As with any new concept you have to start somewhere and electric vehicles are no different. I look forward to progress in electric vehicle technology. David A. Altman President and CEO Leigh Smith PO Box 308 707 South Arant St. Pageland, SC 29728 Phone (843) 672-6111 or 1-800-922-3486 www.lynchesriver.com Automated Outage System 675-LREC (5732) or 1-866-675-LREC (5732) Office Hours 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Friday David A. Altman President and CEO Trustees: Eric L. Horton Chairman, District 1 Myrtle L. Faile Vice Chairwoman, District 2 Steve Chewning Secretary/Treasurer, District 7 Theresa S. Hicks, District 3 Mike Crawford, District 4 Scott Croxton, District 5 Daryl Faulkenberry, District 6 Randolph Mackey, District 8 John T. Blackwell Member-At-Large Remote Payment Sites Chesterfield Piggly Wiggly Market of Chesterfield 1303 West Boulevard (843) 623-6590 Kershaw Quality Appliance 407 South Hampton Street (803) 475-2302 Lancaster The Energy Center, Inc. 667 Lancaster Bypass 9 E (803) 283-6148 Co-op Connection Editor Leigh C. Smith [email protected] The Chevy Volt charging at Lynches River Electric Cooperative’s charging station. The Volt travels the state visiting South Carolina co-ops to spread the word about electric cars. 4 SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | SEPTEMBER 2012 | scliving.coop Lynches River News Utility bill scam warning TAKE ACTION! Send us your email address President Obama does not want to pay your electric bills Cooperative is warning members of a billing scam designed to steal your personal information. Identity thieves are preying on utility customers across the country telling them President Obama wants to help pay their electric bills. Following weeks of 100-degree temperatures and higher electric bills as a result, vulnerable utility customers are falling victim to this scam. The old adage, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” definitely applies here. Members should be alert to phone calls, fliers, social media and text messages claiming a new federal aid program will pay their utility bills. Victims are given a bogus bank routing number to pay their bills, in exchange Lynches River Electric Today, we have many critical issues that need your attention. Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposals take our nation’s energy and environmental policy in the wrong direction. The EPA’s plan affects the next generation of power plants and reduces America’s fuel diversity. Electric cooperatives support a comprehensive energy and environmental policy that embraces all fuels (nuclear, natural gas, renewable and coal), maximizes energy efficiency, and emphasizes the development of technologies that continue to improve our environment. If you would like to help, join Lynches River Electric and electric cooperatives across the nation by sending messages on issues that may affect your co-op to your elected officials. Share your email address to participate, and messages will be sent to you when necessary about important issues. You may be asked to enter your information and send provided form letters. Call Lynches River Electric Cooperative at 675-3213 or 1-800-922-3486 ext. 213 with your email address or email [email protected]. for providing their Social Security numbers and bank credentials. By the time victims of the fraud find out the vouchers are worthless, they are left owing their utility bill, and possibly a returned check fee as well as a late payment charge. Even worse, their identity has been stolen. The most important thing to remember is to never give out your personal information— Social Security number, banking information, credit card number, etc.—to a stranger. If you think you’ve been contacted by someone claiming to be part of a program to pay utility bills, contact law enforcement immediately. If you have questions or concerns, call Lynches River at 672-6111 or 1-800-922-3486. Attention members Leigh Smith Lynches River to host open house Members are invited to tour the new Lynches River Electric Cooperative office located at 707 S. Arant St. in Pageland. Tours will be conducted from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27. Please call our office at 672-6111 or 1-800-922-3486 (toll free) if you have questions or need more information. Look for your Official Annual Meeting Notice on the front cover wrap of the October issue of South Carolina Living magazine. Be sure to tear off the entire bottom section of the cover wrap. Bring this official registration card with you along with a photo ID to the Annual Meeting to register and enter the prize drawing. Registered members DO NOT have to stay for the prize drawing to be eligible to win. scliving.coop | SEPTEMBER 2012 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING 5
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